The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-11-10
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, ID. g., Nov. 5, 1887.
The President has held but one pub
lie reception siace his return ana that
was early this week. when he shook
hands with 800 persons. tits believed
it is not his intention to resume his
regular receptions until after the meet
ing of Congress.
A delegation representing the Brit
ish House of Commons and the Trad es
Union Congress waited upon Mr..
Cleveland this week in the interest OF
their scheme of arbitration to settle in
ternstional differences by peaceful
methods rather than the usual resort
to armed conflicts. Right Honorable
Lyon Playfair, M. p. was the chief
spokesman for the visitors, and he set
forth the object of their endeavor in
an eloquent and impressive manner,
the President gracefully responding to
his address and cordially reciprocating
the amiable atterances of the distin-
.zuished EnglIshman.
Preparations are still in progress for
the meeting of Congress, and there is
much discussion about the preliminary
movements, such as the organization
of the House and the formation of inn
portant committees. There will be
more new members than for many
years past, and the committees will
have to be almost wholly reorgan-
fzed. Among those relegated to the
quiet pursuits of private life are the
chairman and three members of the
committee on ways and means, three
members of the appropriations COM
mittes, and nine of the fourteen mem
bers of the committee on elections, and
so on through the long iist-so that the
Speaker will have to make room for
great deal Of raw material, as it were
So far an the offices are concerned, it
is believed that there will be no con-
test, except for the position of door
keeper of the House. for which three
or more candidates. including the
present Incumbent are offering.
The session will probably be fruitful
of new and radical schemes of legisla-
tien, ameng which will mention, la
addition to those nlren ndy enumerated,
q bill to restrict foreign emigsrtion-
that Ii, of the vicious elemeut-and the
paternal idea TO take the telegraph
under the fostering care of the general
Government, which in its evil aud
centralizing tendencies may beregard
ed IA fit companion piece TO the in-
iquitous Blair Educational bill. IF
the United States take control of the
telegraph System of the country, the
next move will be an absorption OF
the railroad lines. Such Legislative
measures flourish in despotic govern
ments like Russia and Turkey, but
they are foreign to the soil of the land
of the free and the home Of the brave
and do not think this unrepublican
legislation can be grated upon our
tree of liberty, at least az long as the
great Democratic party stands as the
guardian of the Constitution and the
hope of our republican system.
The Postmaster General has raised
quite a commetion among merchants
by his enforcement of the law prohib
iting the mailing of packages OF third
and fourth class matter in advertising
wrappers. 1t appears that the regula-
tion has been regarded as dead letter
for years, but in his recent revision of
the ruled MIR. Villas ordered that it be
made effective and such articles can
now only be sent as first class matter. |
Can it be that the office seekers are |
at last satisfied? 1t would appear SO
from the statement of Secretary Bay
ard, who says that the dignified and
position of First Assistant
secle etlry of State goes begging-that |
no one will tske the place-that lie, of
those whom he would wish to have it |
So here is an opportunity for those
patriots whose innate modesty has
hitherto prevented them from needing
the call to duty to assert their claims
to public office.
The reduction of the national debt |
for the first four months of the current |
fiscal year was $40, 738, ,095, the total
debt now. less cash in the Treasury,
being 81 ,23s ,692, 70l, while the interest
bearing debt is something smaller.
There was clear.gain of tive millions
and half in Government receipts thai
month over the amount received for
The same time last year.
President Cleveland Secretary Whit
ney and Col. Lamont have subscribed
very literally to the New York DEM
campaign fund-the first 81 900
Lhe second S., ,0G0 and the third $3.50.
besides many department clerks have
contributed handsomely to the same
aurpose.